USD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

The bulls of the Japanese yen have not been significantly affected by the disappointing GDP report for Japan's first quarter. This is largely due to growing expectations that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates again in 2025. Additionally, hopes for a potential trade agreement between the U.S. and Japan are contributing to the yen's relative strength against the U.S. dollar for the fourth consecutive day.

However, optimism about a trade deal between the U.S. and China is capping demand for the safe-haven yen, helping the USD/JPY pair stay above the psychological level of 145.00. At the same time, the U.S. dollar is struggling to attract significant buyers amid expectations of further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, which are reinforced by Thursday's lackluster U.S. macroeconomic data.From a technical standpoint, oscillators on the daily chart have yet to turn negative, and prices have managed to hold the 145.00 level. This gives hope that the pair may attempt to break through the Asian session high around 145.70 on its way toward the round level of 146.00. Any further upside can be seen as a selling opportunity, likely capped near the 146.60 level.

On the other hand, failure to hold above the 145.00 level would expose the pair to deeper losses and shift the outlook in favor of the bears.